This screen grab taken from Google Earth shows a satellite image of the area around Riverhead, N.Y., center. On New York's Long Island, it's used to prevent drowning. In Greece, it's a tool to help solve a financial crisis. Municipalities update property assessment rolls and other government data with it. Some in law enforcement use it to supplement reconnaissance of crime suspects. High-tech eyes in the sky _ from satellite imagery to sophisticated aerial photography that maps entire communities _ are being employed in creative new ways by government officials, a trend that civil libertarians and others fear are eroding privacy rights.
(AP Photo)
Smile! Govt's using aerial images to enforce laws
This screen grab taken from Google Earth shows a satellite image of the area around Riverhead, N.Y., center. On New York's Long Island, it's used to prevent drowning. In Greece, it's a tool to help solve a financial crisis. Municipalities update property assessment rolls and other government data with it. Some in law enforcement use it to supplement reconnaissance of crime suspects. High-tech eyes in the sky _ from satellite imagery to sophisticated aerial photography that maps entire communities _ are being employed in creative new ways by government officials, a trend that civil libertarians and others fear are eroding privacy rights.
(AP Photo)
RIVERHEAD, N.Y.—High-tech eyes in the sky are being used creatively by government officials, raising privacy concerns from civil libertarians and others.
At issue is the use of images from satellites in orbit or sophisticated aerial photography to spot swimming pools or other household buildings or additions.
In Riverhead, N.Y, officials recently used Google Earth to help identify about 250 homes where residents failed to get safety permits for their swimming pools.
Lillie Coney of the Electronic Privacy Information Center fears that other municipalities may be inspired to use Google or other services to check on zoning code violations and other transgressions of local laws.
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